Mr. Martin McGuinness:

The reference to massive shortchanging obviously pertains to the remarks made by Deputy Mick Wallace. I am not making that allegation because I am not going to become embroiled with the Comptroller and Auditor General. There has been much controversy over NAMA in the course of recent months. It is a matter for the committee to deliberate on in the time ahead.

With regard to how we saw the situation in the North, our concern was centred on ensuring our economic prospects would not take a hammering as a result of whatever sale would take place. All along, I was working on the basis that the key players in the decision-making process were NAMA and the Department of Finance. I know the concerns that have been expressed about the independence of NAMA but I am around long enough to know that bodies are independent but do have their conversations with the Department on key decisions made.